1. The Americano at the Intercontinental Hotel
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The dark and brooding interior is contrasted with modern sculptures and the unique wire light fixtures add a warm glow, while pops of green add a cool touch to the interior design. All come together to make for a superb date night spot or birthday celebration.
Celebrate at The Americano Atlanta. You’ll be rewarded with a perfectly romantic vibe.
Besides absolutely stunning design (love those chic dark walls), the food and will blow you away! The Versace on the Floor is unlike any other cocktail I’ve had. The foamy sweetness on top hits you first but then followed by the spicy treat on the bottom. It’s like 2 drinks in 1!
Tuna and beef cheeks are the perfect way to to begin your meal and if you like steak, get the tasty ribeye.
2. St. Cecilia
Any foodie that’s lived in Atlanta for a short amount of time will know the name Ford Fry and his exquisite restaurants spanning everything from European to Tex Mex. Consistent across all restaurants is fabulous service. At St. Cecilia, you’ll find Mediterranean food (with a slant to specialty pastas) is the focus here.
Everyone makes an entrance at St Cecilia as you access the dining area by walking down a sweeping staircase. Arrive earlier than your reservation and savor a cocktail or a glass of wine at the expansive curved bar topped in beautiful Italian marble.
For parties of four the round tables adjacent to the bar are a terrific choice as you’ll have views of the bar, dining and even the kitchen. But my favorite area is just beyond this (it’s the area that sits agains the wall and has several cozy booths. Make sure to request one of these when you make reservation, if you’d like to sit here as there are only a handful. However, even
Soft colors are welcoming with hardwood floors and wood tables in contrast the white marble bar with a burst of lime lighting on the seats. Watch our short video here.
Look to your server to recommend an excellent cocktail or glass of wine. While pastas may not be a priority, the pastas at St. Cecilia are light and airy. Protip: If you can’t decide on one pasta you don’t have to! You can get half portions of their pasta dishes? I couldn’t decide between the crab spaghetti or the beef cheeks angolotti so I had both!
3. Fia at the Burgess Hotel in Atlanta
The cozy restaurant, Fia, has seating with a view to all the action in the kitchen, complete with wood-fired grill, if you desire. The best seating is against the back wall but I’d recommend sitting against the back wall where you can see not only the kitchen but also the colorful lobby and bar as well.
When it comes to hotels and hotel dining you will forget you are in a hotel at all. The entrance and restaurant are both incredibly cozy and welcoming. The entire hotel (even the rooms) are decorated with treasures from the owners’ travels around the world. There’s a wood burning oven and the warm hummus is a must order. Make sure to stop at Mr. P’s for a drink at the bar and post for a picture.
4. Atlas inside the St. Regis
Don’t you love when a restaurant has multiple areas to savor so you can fully enthrall yourself in an evening out. This is what an evening at Atlas is like. You can start (or finish) your meal sipping a cocktail by the cozy fireplace. Of course if it is warm enough you could even have a drink by the fire pits.
Plus, you’re surrounded by famous artists when you dine at Atlas in Atlanta (well, their work)
Van Gogh, Matisse…you know all those famous artists? Atlas has an amazing collection of their work all throughout the restaurant. If you ask, you’ll probably get a map and information about the paintings and their artists. So, when you visit Atlas restaurant, you not only get dinner but it’s like visiting a museum too.
How’s the food at Atlas? Every bit a work of art too.
5. Knife makes a mark in Buckhead
Knife, a Mediterranean restaurant, takes it’s design and menu cue from the regions that make up the blissful area of Europe.
From the owner, Ali, “From Italian floors to furniture from Spain, to paintings from a Moroccan artist depicting individuals from South of France, Italy and Spain to the food” everything is Mediterranean inspired. “The knife was inspired by our vision to honor chef’s most important tool, but as a hospitality focus, we strive to sharpen our skills and hospitality standards everyday”
One thing we loved is the various seating areas – the bar is comfy and inviting for solo diners. Against the back wall are cozy booths to snuggle up to your sweetie, but for even more privacy there’s the back room which could even be used for a private party.
6. Le Colonial in Buckhead Atlanta
The Shops in Buckhead Atlanta are arguably the city’s Rodeo drive. And the restaurants must be up to the highest standards as well. Le Colonial pays homage to Saigon in the 1920 and we think they nailed it with the decor. While the dining room is quite comfortable, there’s another room just for lounging.
Food is exquisite and as expected, you’ll pay more than you might be used to your at your typical Vietnamese restaurant, but rest assured, this experience is anything but typical.
7. Mission + Market in Buckhead wows with impressive design elements
Even before you enter the restaurant there’s an instagrammable background that many were already taking advantage of. And then there’s the interior of the restaurant with high ceilings and warm woods that play off the metal structures hanging from the ceilings. There’s more than color, though, there’s texture too at Mission + Market. The faux grass walls and turquoise velvet booths sound like they could be too much (almost gaudy in description), but they are actually quite beautiful in the upscale restaurant.
8. Le Bon Nosh – wine bar and more in Buckhead
Come one, come all wine lovers to this magical spot in Buckhead.
The focal point of this beautiful restaurant is the gorgeous bar. Is it the chandelier that hangs from the top beckoning you to have a seat at the bar? Or the plush, peach barstools? Maybe it’s the curved background of the backlit mirror. Whatever it is, you can’t help but feel special when you dine at Le Bon Nosh.
The food is as pretty as the decor (well almost). Fish was perfectly cooked.
Truth: I thought that a fancy French restaurant would be snooty, but they weren’t. They couldn’t have been kinder. My server was happy to make excellent wine recommendations that I loved.
Watch our video at Le Bon Nosh!
9. Chops Lobster Bar (still a star after many years)
Once the darling of all restaurant groups in Atlanta, Chops Lobster bar remains quite popular. Even on a Thursday evening they were packed. Sadly they were plagued by a fire which led to a remodel. They’ve fused the modern with the proper service you’d expect from The Buckhead Life Restaurant Group.
